The Watts Fellowship

Sir Arthur Watts (1931-2007) was one of the most highly regarded - and widely liked - British international lawyers of his time. He moved from a varied and adventurous career in the Foreign Office into a strikingly successful international practice at the Bar, where he was sought after as counsel by other states and where he advised more than two dozen governments. He sat frequently as an Arbitrator both in inter-State disputes and in international commercial proceedings.

Given its extensive legacy of achievement in the area, the British Institute for International and Comparative Law seeks to honour Sir Arthur Watts' memory with the establishment of a Senior Research Fellowship in Public International Law in his name. Areas of law that the Fellow may be involved in through research and organisation of events are:

  • Damages in International Law: to identify and clarify the detailed rules that govern the basis on which awards of compensation are made under many areas of international law
  • Evidence before International Courts and Tribunals: to enable a fully comparative and comprehensive analysis of the rules and practicies of evidence
  • Comparative International Law: to explore the differing aspects of international law across the world

The fundraising campaign for this post is being led by Sir Franklin Berman, KCMG, QC. For more information on how to support please contact Sir Franklin Berman or Diane Denny (tel.: 0786 780 5368; email: d.denny@biicl.org) at the Institute. Click here to download the list of benefactors.

News: The Institute is delighted to report that, due to generous donations by many leading international lawyers to the Watts Fellowship appeal, we are now able to proceed to an appointment of the Watts Senior Research Fellow in Public International Law, which is currently advertised. We wish to thank in particular Allan Myers AO QC of Melbourne for his substantial donation, which was crucial in enabling us to proceed.

We are still seeking further donations to ensure the long-term future of this important Fellowship at the heart of the work of the Institute, and which will enable us to increase significantly our strength and reach in public international law. For information on making donations please see http://www.biicl.org/development/watts/, and contact Diane Denny (d.denny@biicl.org).

If you would like to read about one of the most unusual and almost certainly the most southerly game of cricket organized by Sir Arthur Watts, please click here.

Ways to Support the Watts Fellowship

  • Donate online by Credit or Debit Card

  • Donate online by Direct Debit

If you are a US Donor and wish to support us, you can donate online via the American Fund for Charities button (left) and recommend that your donation be given as a grant to The British Institute of International and Comparative Law (AFC 916). Or print and complete this form and send with your donation. For more information please click here.

For more information on the Watts Fellowship, click here.